The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Click.

The moment the phone call ended, Godfrey’s front door swung open again.

Vivienne glanced down at the huddled Martinez family by the doorway; her lips pursed into a slight smile. “Mr. Martinez, such formalities are hardly necessary.”

“Everybody up, now!”

Stellan’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he glared at Leopold, sprawled out behind him.

A cluster of people awkwardly rose to their feet, their faces painted with awkwardness. “Uh, Ms. Hawthorn, we’re really grateful for your help. Please, stay for dinner to thank you for taking care of my father.”

Audrey, lounging on the sofa, glanced over and snorted disdainfully, then looked away, indifferent to whether Godfrey lived or died.

“Stellan, aren’t you even gonna ask?” But she couldn’t stand to see the Martinez family have it easy. “What if Ms. Hawthorn’s treatment kills Dad?”

Griffin’s retort was sharper, “Because we’re not blind, we can see with our own eyes. Unlike you, sitting there like a frog in a well!”

As soon as Vivienne entered the room, she used her silver needles to stabilize Godfrey, halting his convulsions. The rest of her methods were a mystery to them.

But through the open door, they could see Godfrey’s color improving under Vivienne’s care. Clearly, her treatment was working.

Ignoring Audrey’s sour expression, Griffin cuddled up to Vivienne. “You’re amazing, Vivienne. You’re my hero!”

Leopold beamed with pride at the compliments directed at Vivienne, more pleased than if they were for himself. “Of course, you’ve seen who Vivienne is with, right? Let me tell you, when it comes to medicine, there’s no one better than her.”

Percival raised an eyebrow. “Sucking up won’t help you. Remember, you’re paying for the scratch you put on my car.”

I’m your youngest junior, maybe we

smiled subtly. “Remember

left a glaring scratch on it! God only

of the woods yet. He’ll need a couple more treatments. This toxin is a new one, and we might need to find an antidote

familiar with this,” Stellan said, puzzled

didn’t shy away from the truth. “My mother encountered the same issue yesterday. Luckily, someone was with

solely targeting her mother. Turns out, it was a

she stood in the

have other matters today, so we’ll be taking our leave,” Vivienne

you’re confused, maybe look into the ancient warrior lineages. See if there’s a family known for using poison derived from insects. That’s where

control neural functions, which is why Godfrey was

at her words. “You’re saying my father was poisoned with that stuff? Stellan, it

of that particular family,

silent on the sofa. “Lancelot,

investigate

nonchalant wave, she said, “It’s no trouble at all. Now, if

“Huh?”

punched him lightly. “What do you mean, ‘huh’? You wrecked

“I’ll take them, I’ll take them. But why hit me?

You were driving; you pay up.

“Who said I can’t?”

pride can’t be challenged, especially not in matters of finance and especially not by

up. “Of course, I can afford it! It’s just one car! Even if I wrecked all of Percival’s

twitched. “You want to wreck

mean that. I was just… making an example, really, just